Brew Review – Shmaltz Brewing Co’s Coney Island Human Blockhead

Shmaltz Brewing's Human Blockhead IAB

So it’s a beautiful summer day and you find yourself on the boardwalk at Coney Island. The smell of the water lingers lazily across the beach being broken every now and then by the alluring aroma from a near by venue of a Nathan’s hot dog cooking. And if you’re going to eat a Coney Island hot dog, what would be better than a Coney Island beer to go with it?

The Shmaltz Brewing Co (He’Brew) has you covered. Their Coney Island series pays homage to its well know freak show attraction, each beer being named after a noted performer in the show. In this review I taste their Human Blockhead Imperial American Bock.

Them : Their Human Blockhead is not a simple beer. The grain bill consists of specialty 2-Row, Munich, Vienna, Pale Crystal and Crystal malts. Also added to the mash are wheat, rye, rye ale and flaked oaks. This is a well constructed beer. The hops are not skimpy either. Added to the kettle are Warrior, Tettenang, Crystal, Liberty and Cascade. At 10% ABV it’s probably a little too strong for a ballpark beer. It was awarded Grand Champion Alternative Lager at the World Beer Championship.

Me : Human Blockhead pours with a medium head that reduces down to a fine, glass clinging lace. In my tasting glass the color graduates from a light copper to a dark, almost brownish hue. The noise contains a nice combination of deep malt with some twinges of caramel. In the mouth, the beers starts malty in the front and transitions into a crisp bitter finish in the back. The aftertaste is a slight lingering malt. All this balances the 10.0% alcohol pretty well. It has all the malt backbone for a Bock (minus the -ator suffix that most Bock beers get) and the hops and alcohol to earn it’s Imperial name (which I’ll address in an up coming post).

An awesome aspect of the Coney Island brands is the fact that proceeds from them help Coney Island USA(TM), a none profit organization dedicated to helping keep Coney Island, well, Coney Island.

A Nathan’s dog with onions, a Coney Island beer AND I get to help a cause? I’ll sign up for that any day.

Have you tried any of the Coney Island beers? What did you think of them?

This is Melissa from Shmaltz Brewing Company. Thanks so much drinking and reviewing Human Blockhead. I’m not sure if you intuitively knew that it would be perfect with a Nathan’s dog or if you just lucked out – all I have to say is, YESSS. We actually just launched the barrel-aged version of Human Blockhead (aged in Buffalo Trace barrels 5 months) last week at Tap Room 307 and Barcade in NYC. 22oz bottles will be making their way to finer retail shops and bars pretty soon.

Next time you’re in Coney Island please come say hello at Coney Island Brewing Company. We’re on the corner of W 12th and Surf and open Thursday-Sunday, 12-6pm, brewing experimental batches, doing tastings, and selling beer to go.

Thanks for the comments. My friend Chuck has been to your Brewery and has told me that it is a must see! So indeed, you are on my list. Keep up all the great work you’re doing trying to keep the spirit of Coney Island alive!